- By Khadidiatou Cisse
- BBC World Service
2 hours ago
image description,
Ali Bongo inherited power from his father Omar, who died after 41 years in power
The military takeover in Gabon will only result in the continued rule of the Bongo clan, which has been in power for 55 years, a source close to the ousted president told the BBC.
“General Brice Oligui Nguema is a direct product of the Bongo clan,” said the source, who requested anonymity for security reasons.
He warned those celebrating the coup not to expect too much to change.
The military vowed to put an end to the Bongo regime when it took power.
They announced a military takeover shortly after President Ali Bongo was declared the winner of a disputed election. He was placed under house arrest.
The military said Saturday the country’s borders would reopen after being closed following Wednesday’s coup.
Our source’s comments echo those of opposition leader Albert Ondo Ossa, who told the Associated Press that the coup was a “palace revolution” orchestrated by the Bongo family to retain their power.
The coalition that supports Mr Ossa, Alternance 2023, and claims it is the rightful winner of last Saturday’s elections, has called on the international community to push for a return to civilian rule.
“We were happy that Ali Bongo was overthrown, but … we hope that the international community will stand up for the republic and the democratic order in Gabon by calling on the military to return power to the civilian population,” Ossas said Spokesperson, Alexandra Pangha told the BBC.
She added that the plan for General Nguema to be sworn in as interim president on Monday was “absurd”.
The coup was condemned by the UN, its neighbors and France – its former colonial power, which had close ties to the Bongo family.
Gabon was suspended from the African Union.
In a televised address on Friday evening, General Nguema said the military would move “swiftly but surely” to restore civilian rule, but gave no timetable. He said they would avoid elections that would “repeat the same mistakes” by keeping the same people in power.
However, our source said that the new strongman, the head of the elite Republican Guard, “was a direct product of the Bongo clan. “He is the spiritual son of Omar Bongo and has always been closely linked to the presidential family,” adding some believe he is Ali Bongo’s cousin.
Omar Bongo was in power for 41 years before his son Ali succeeded him following his death in 2009.
Ali Bongo’s subsequent electoral victories were always marred by opposition claims of widespread fraud.
image description,
Many Gabonese hope that the military’s takeover will lead to changes in their country
Our source said the coup took everyone by surprise, although rumors surrounding General Nguema were circulating.
“It took our team completely by surprise, but for the last two years there have been rumors that there must be a man capable of breaking through the hierarchy. He has always played a crucial role within the Bongo clan and has a natural but discreet authority.”
Shortly before Omar Bongo’s death in 2009, General Nguema is said to have promised him that he would take care of his family. However, when Ali Bongo took power, the military man was sent away to serve as an attaché to the Gabonese embassies in Morocco and Senegal.
“Upon his return in 2019, General Nguema realized that the circle of power had expanded beyond immediate family members and that state control was slipping from the Bongo clan’s grasp,” explains our source. This came after Ali Bongo suffered a stroke that sidelined him for a year and sparked calls for his retirement.
The coup led to many people taking to the streets in the Gabonese capital Libreville to celebrate, but our source says this was mainly because “they wanted to be freed from the Bongo family name.”
“But the reality is that the coup is largely a continuation of the same system, just under a different name.”
Shortly after the coup was announced, several allies of the ousted president were arrested, including his 31-year-old son Noureddin Bongo Valentin, who is accused of treason and corruption. National television showed images of him and other close Bongo allies in front of suitcases full of cash that had allegedly been confiscated from their homes. They did not comment on the allegations.
But our source says this is mostly just for show.
“By arresting the president’s son, he wants to send a strong signal to the population.
“Everyone is celebrating now, but we should not forget that the interim leader has eaten at the Bongo family table for decades. He has a lot of experience and was able to bring back hope, but the Gabonese people must remain vigilant.”